Crisafulli’s cabinet sworn in with surprises, as department bosses dumped

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled the cabinet team tasked with driving the new LNP state government’s agenda, embarking on a major reshuffle despite vowing no change.

A total of 19 cabinet members, including Crisafulli, were sworn into their roles on Friday afternoon, with briefings into the weekend before their first meeting on Monday.

But the formalities then made way for the sacking of almost half the heads of the departments the new ministers will be responsible for.

The first Crisafulli ministry poses for a photo with Governor Jeannette Young after being sworn in at Government House.Credit: Matt Dennien

Ten new directors-general will be appointed into the public sector’s 22 reshaped departments, with 12 others continuing under the new government.

Announcing the shake-up after 6pm on Friday, Crisafulli thanked those who were departing and said the changes would ensure a “mix of continuity, experience and new energy”.

Despite promising to lead a cabinet that “reflects Queensland”, Crisafulli’s 19-person senior decision-making team features just six women and four MPs from outside the south-east.

And despite saying for months the cabinet would remain the same as shadow cabinet, most ministers will hold new or expanded portfolios vastly different to their focus in opposition.

“Queenslanders have entrusted us to deliver a fresh start … ending the crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living, and that’s what we’ll do, with ministers starting work today,” Crisafulli said.

Earlier in the day, high-profile health spokesperson Ros Bates was handed responsibility for the junior economic role of finance, along with trade, employment and training.

Speaking at a media conference with the team after all were sworn in, Bates said she had indicated since the election she would be happy to serve in any role but sought “a new challenge”.

“For the last seven years, I’ve gone through three health ministers who made health even worse. So it’s a passionate area for me, but this is a fresh start for me,” she said.

Crisafulli described Bates’ shift as a “promotion”, with Tim Nicholls moving from justice into health.

Nicholls brushed off the idea that the key portfolio was a “poisoned chalice”, instead likening it to being given “the cup of opportunity – and that cup runs over”.

Deb Frecklington, the former energy spokesperson and party leader before Crisafulli, will hand energy to Treasurer David Janetzki and instead take on the government’s chief legal roles.

John-Paul Langbroek will become minister for education and arts, and Steve Minnikin will pass transport and main roads to Brent Mickelberg.

The women, First Nations and multicultural portfolios will go to Fiona Simpson, in her first ministerial roles since entering parliament in 1992.

Tim Mander will take on sport, racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games responsibilities, with public works being handed to Sam O’Connor, who will also pick up housing.

Andrew Powell will be elevated into cabinet, swapping environment and tourism responsibilities for wrangling the opposition’s agenda in parliament.

The government equivalent of this non-cabinet role, Leader of the House, will go to Christian Rowan, former shadow education and arts minister.

“What I’m asking of Dr Rowan is to turn a dysfunctional parliament into one that Queensland is going to be proud of,” Crisafulli said.

Crisafulli himself will shed tourism responsibilities for veterans’ matters, but brushed aside questions about whether the major shake-up was a broken election promise.

“I said to you that I wanted stability, and you’ve got that – the 20 faces that were serving before will be serving after,” he said.

Former premier Steven Miles, who is expected to be re-elected to the Labor leadership role unopposed, said Queenslanders would be “rightfully questioning if David Crisafulli was being honest about abortion, nuclear energy, community safety and sacking teachers, police, nurses and doctors”.

A number of assistant ministry roles, along with new parliamentary committee chairs and the next Speaker, will be announced next week.

Departmental changes outlined in a media release at 6.38pm on Friday

New appointments include:

• John Sosso, Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
• Dr David Rosengren, Director-General of Queensland Health
• Trish O’Callaghan, Acting Director-General of the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (from November 11)

The following will be acting directors-general until permanent appointments are made:

• David Mackie, Acting Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Rachel Crossland, Acting Director-General of Queensland Treasury
• Initially Kate Connors, followed by Brigita Cunnington, Acting Director-General of the Department of Justice
• Sharon Schimming, Acting Director-General of the Department of Education
• Kathy Parton, Acting Director-General of the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Multiculturalism
• Ben Klaassen, Acting Director-General of the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (until November 11)
• Rob Seiler, Acting Director-General of the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety
• Steven Koch, Acting Director-General of the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

The following will continue as directors-general or commissioners:

• Peter McKay, Department of Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
• Graham Fraine, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development
• Steve Gollschewski, Queensland Police Service
• Paul Stewart, Queensland Corrective Services
• Bob Gee, Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support
• Sally Stannard, Department of Transport and Main Roads
• Linda Dobe, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
• Steve Smith, Queensland Fire Department
• Mark Cridland, Department of Housing and Public Works
• Graeme Bolton, Department of Primary Industries
• Andrew Hopper, Department of Sport, Racing and Olympic and Paralympic Games
• David Mackie, Public Sector Commissioner (following the permanent appointment of Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet)

Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.